Ecomostro Installed in Venice

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Apparently, Santiago Calatrava knows nothing about aestethics or architectural continuity, because Italy has a new ecomostro (see "martedi, aprile 25, 2006 for more on Italian ecomostri). Calatrava, the Spanish architect who won a 1999 competion to design a fourth bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, has finally installed his monstrosity, angering many Venetians.

Some Venetians call it Il Ponte Roma, some Il Quarto Ponte, and others simply Il Ponte della Vergogna -- The Bridge of Shame. In a city whose future is so dependent on preservation, it's disappointing to see an eyesorer of a project like this gain approval (in 2002), and finally be completed.

One of the main groups that fought against its approval was HBGroup, Human Basics, a consortium of architects and engineers that ensures that projects are suitable for use by the disabled. According to the HBGroup, the Calatrava bridge is in violation of Italian laws on accessibility, and the disabled will now have to cross this bridge using a tramway, still to be installed.

Pictured below is the El Puente del Alamillo (Sevilla), another questionable Calatrava-signed ecomostro, looming over the Sevillan skyline.